noun

shape

SHAYP

noun

The outline or form of something, defined by its outer edges or surface.

"The clouds formed the shape of a whale."

"Cut the dough into star shapes before baking."

The general condition or state of something, especially physical fitness.

"He started running to get back in shape."

"The old car was in surprisingly good shape."

verb

To give something a particular form, or to influence how it develops.

"Her childhood in the countryside shaped her love of nature."

"The sculptor shaped the clay into a rough figure."

How to Use Shape

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe form of an object, or the condition something is in — also used as a verb meaning to form or influence something.

Common pairings

in good shape shape someone's future take shape

Word Forms

shaped past tense, shope past tense, shapen past tense, shapes plural, shape plural, shaped plural, shope plural, shapes singular, shape singular, shope singular, shaped singular, shapest singular, shapedst singular, shapeth singular

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The clouds formed the _____ of a whale.

Etymology

From Old English gesceap, "form, creation," related to an old Germanic root meaning "to create."

Synonyms

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form Gestalt mold shapen

Related Words

create build form compose organize composition mold makeup

Rhymes for shape

ape tape gape nape cape grape drape Snape escape scrape reshape landscape

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form Gestalt mold shapen create build compose organize composition makeup